China, Russia to hold joint exercises in South China Sea

(FILES) This file photo taken on May 5, 2016 shows crew members of China's South Sea Fleet taking part in a drill in the Xisha Islands, or the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. China and Russia will hold joint naval exercises in the South China Sea in September, Beijing's defence ministry said on July 28, 2016, after an international tribunal invalidated the Asian giant's extensive claims in the area. / AFP PHOTO / STR

BEIJING: China and Russia will hold joint naval exercises in the South China Sea in September, Beijing’s defence ministry said Thursday, after an international tribunal invalidated the Asian giant’s extensive claims in the area.

The drills will be carried out in the “relevant sea and air of the South China Sea”, defence ministry spokesman Yang Yujun told reporters at a monthly briefing.